When will the new HD channels go live?
The thread title will be updated daily so please pay attention to it. Currently the first wave is LIVE Please read the Current HD channels section below for current HD channels.

What is channel 498, D-10 test channel?
This is a transmission from D*'s newest satellite D-10. This channel contains a slide show to confirm that your entire system/setup is correct and ready for the D-10 transmissions. If your test is successful you will see this message. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...0#post11686280

What is channel 499, B-band converter test channel?
If your BBC's are connected and working, you will see a 771 Searching for Satellite signal on this channel.

How much will the new HD channels cost?
D* stated the price of HD Access will not increase once the new HD channels go live. There are rumors of different packages and pricing, but D* has not commented.

DIRECTV Adds New HD Channels for Fall; Four Discovery HD Channels, Five Starz HD Channels, CNBC and Chiller to Join the HD Pack, More on the Way
HD Version of Disney's High School Musical 2 to Air Exclusively on

DIRECTVEL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2007--DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television service provider, continues to set the stage for its unprecedented expansion of HD services. With agreements in place to launch four Discovery HD channels, five HD channels from Starz, CNBC and Chiller in HD, along with recently completed deals with The History Channel and A&E, DIRECTV is on schedule to roll out up to 100 national HD channels by year-end to satisfy the appetite of its HD customers, who have doubled over the last year.

"Earlier this year we called 2007 the 'Year of HD' and we're going to deliver on our commitment to offer more HD channels than any other multichannel provider," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. "In addition to the networks we've signed to date, we will continue to add more HD programming to our launch list between now and year-end. Demand for HD continues to grow, and with the dramatic expansion of our capacity this summer and the nationwide reach of our service, we are uniquely positioned to lead the industry in the carriage and delivery of HD programming."

Under the agreement with Discovery Communications, DIRECTV will launch four simulcasts - Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and The Science Channel - and two other channels to be named and launched by Discovery at a later date. The HD feeds of the four existing networks will launch in September.

DIRECTV also has an agreement in place with Starz to launch three new HD movie channels: Starz Edge, Starz Comedy and Starz Kids & Family, as well as Starz's East and West coast HD feeds. The new Starz HD channels, featuring first-run hit movies, and the Starz East and West HD channels, will also launch in September.

The History Channel and DIRECTV recently announced that DIRECTV will be the first to launch The History Channel HD, a new 24-hour HD network, and A&E HD in September.

As it continues to beef up its HD channel lineup, DIRECTV has also become the platform of choice for the debut of exclusive HD programming. Disney Channel is providing DIRECTV the exclusive rights to broadcast the premiere HD version of High School Musical 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the global sensation for kids and families. DIRECTV will air the movie in HD a few days after its standard-definition premiere Friday, August 17 on Disney Channel.

In addition to the networks listed below, DIRECTV also plans to offer the HD feeds of regional sports networks on a nationwide basis this fall, and has commitments from a number of other networks to launch their HD simulcasts. They will be added to the lineup for launch by year-end and will be announced at a later date.

To date, DIRECTV has signed agreements or agreements in principle, to launch the following networks.

Thanks for writing about our new HD programming. I see that you are a valued and loyal customer, we want you to know that we truly appreciate your business. After years of preparation, we’re excited that the first wave of new HD channels should be on the air by the end of September. Here are the channels and what numbers we expect to be available first:

From my understanding, FSN Cincinnati is nothing more than a separate feed from FSN Ohio for the Cincinnati area. The station identifies itself to the viewer as FSN Ohio.

FSN Cincinnati sometimes picks up other FSN feeds during college basketball season in place of Blue Jackets hockey and other programming normally carried by FSN Ohio (Xavier, Kentucky, and Dayton games). Nevertheless, 95+% of the time the programming is the same. My guess is that any agreement for FSN Ohio also includes FSN Cincinnati and hence no additional announcement will ever be made.

This is obviously related to the upcoming rollout of HD channels and may not be new to everyone. I have not seen a reference to it, however, so I am posting the link in case others have not see it yet either.

The Business of Television(Minor) Trouble for the DirecTV Satellite?Some Spot-Beam Capability Could Be Missing(DirecTV News Release) Sept. 14, 2007

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 2007--The DIRECTV 10 satellite, launched on July 6, 2007, has been successfully placed in geo-synchronous orbit and is currently undergoing in-orbit testing. The testing process has confirmed that the satellite is fully functional to deliver all planned nationwide HD programming. This will enable DIRECTV to deliver up to 100 HD channels nationwide by year-end.

The DIRECTV 10 satellite's transponder payload also includes spot-beam capacity that will support the expansion of DIRECTV's local HD channel services.

While testing of DIRECTV 10's capability continues, it appears that a portion of the anticipated spot-beam capability may not be fully available. The investigation to determine the cause of the reduced capability and potential means to mitigate its effect is on-going. However, we currently believe our planned expansion of HD local programming as previously announced will not be materially affected.

The launch of DIRECTV 11 is still scheduled for late this year or early next year, on a Sea Launch launch vehicle.

The DIRECTV 10 satellite's transponder payload also includes spot-beam capacity that will support the expansion of DIRECTV's local HD channel services.

While testing of DIRECTV 10's capability continues, it appears that a portion of the anticipated spot-beam capability may not be fully available. The investigation to determine the cause of the reduced capability and potential means to mitigate its effect is on-going. However, we currently believe our planned expansion of HD local programming as previously announced will not be materially affected.

Uh-oh! I wonder if D* didn't quadruple-check the satellite just before launch...

I also hope that the problem is fixable from space, otherwise... No matter how much PR spin is applied to crap, crap will always risk affecting future plans and/or what one gets for the money.

If you go click on the packages there is no reference to HDNET, HDNETMovies or UniversalHD in any of the packages. Does anyone know why?

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It may be because those will be in the H/D extra pack.
All of the non-simulcast HD channels that are not tied to an SD channel. HDNet, HDNet Movies, and Universal HD will be a part of the pack, along with MHD, Smithsonian HD, and MGM HD.
It is being said that HD Xtra Pack will be free for everyone until December 15th, at that time everyone will be billed (no grandfathering)

While testing of DIRECTV 10's capability continues, it appears that a portion of the anticipated spot-beam capability may not be fully available. The investigation to determine the cause of the reduced capability and potential means to mitigate its effect is on-going. However, we currently believe our planned expansion of HD local programming as previously announced will not be materially affected.

...

The big question is whether DirecTV will accept on-orbit delivery of DirecTV 10 from Boeing (the manufacturer) with this apparent defect in the spot beam? Obviously if delivery delayed then so would be the HD rollout. I've seen this hold up a few deliveries in the past with other customers while insurance payoffs are discussed.

For those wondering, most satellite contracts these days require the manufacturer to place the satellite into the intended orbit and show that the satellite is working properly before the owner accepts delivery. Not surprising given the cost of these high power large payload satellites.

For those wondering, most satellite contracts these days require the manufacturer to place the satellite into the intended orbit and show that the satellite is working properly before the owner accepts delivery. .

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Unfortunately for D*, their contract with Boeing, was for DOG(delivery on ground) not Delivery in orbit.(DIO)...Boeing's done with it.

Thank you for writing us. It's always a pleasure to hear from one of our new customers. Let me take this opportunity to thank you for your choosing DIRECTV. I understand that HD programming is important to you and we are committed to bring you the best HD programming. I understand that you are concerned about the new package called DIRECTV HD Extra Pack. I'd be glad to provide you additional information on your concern.

Beginning Sept 19, an extra new premium service will be available called DIRECTV HD Extra Pack. We offer this package for unique HD channels that don't have an SD simulcast. We have good news for all of our customers who have HD programming. It's a free preview from Sept 19 until Dec 15, 2007. After that, it costs $4.99 per month. But let me provide additional information about the charges. Our HD Access Fee of $9.99 is like a key that unlocks HD content for you, but you need to subscribe to the programming content which is the HD Extra Pack. We created this package as an optional add-on package due to the high costs to deliver HD programming. High definition is some of the most expensive programming we carry due to what we pay to distribute it and the bandwidth we use to deliver it. Rest assured that we'll deliver HD programs for a very reasonable price because we're also investing in new satellites to bring you more HD channels than any other providers.

Because we value your comments and suggestions, I also forwarded your email to our DIRECT Management. Thank you very much for taking time to let us know how you feel and for giving us a chance to respond to your concerns.

Price increases are a part of life - but the whole "HD Access fee is like a key" that gives access to purchase programming doesn't sit well for people that bought the $600 DTC-100, $999 HD-Tivo, and $299 upgrade-to-lease HR20 "keys" for HD access at each step of this HD expansion.

Price increases are a part of life - but the whole "HD Access fee is like a key" that gives access to purchase programming doesn't sit well for people that bought the $600 DTC-100, $999 HD-Tivo, and $299 upgrade-to-lease HR20 "keys" for HD access at each step of this HD expansion.

I Agree, all three pertain to me as well, except the DTC-100 is built-into my
HDTV, and my Tivo was $1,200....there must be a ending place for all these "EXTRA" H/D fees???

Thank you for writing us. It's always a pleasure to hear from one of our new customers. Let me take this opportunity to thank you for your choosing DIRECTV. I understand that HD programming is important to you and we are committed to bring you the best HD programming. I understand that you are concerned about the new package called DIRECTV HD Extra Pack. I'd be glad to provide you additional information on your concern.

Beginning Sept 19, an extra new premium service will be available called DIRECTV HD Extra Pack. We offer this package for unique HD channels that don't have an SD simulcast. We have good news for all of our customers who have HD programming. It's a free preview from Sept 19 until Dec 15, 2007. After that, it costs $4.99 per month. But let me provide additional information about the charges. Our HD Access Fee of $9.99 is like a key that unlocks HD content for you, but you need to subscribe to the programming content which is the HD Extra Pack. We created this package as an optional add-on package due to the high costs to deliver HD programming. High definition is some of the most expensive programming we carry due to what we pay to distribute it and the bandwidth we use to deliver it. Rest assured that we'll deliver HD programs for a very reasonable price because we're also investing in new satellites to bring you more HD channels than any other providers.

Because we value your comments and suggestions, I also forwarded your email to our DIRECT Management. Thank you very much for taking time to let us know how you feel and for giving us a chance to respond to your concerns.

Sincerely,

Allan M.
Employee ID xxxxxxx
DIRECTV Customer Service

Sept 19th!!!

A guy I work with got a call from D* just last week and the lady told him Sept. 15th.....today!!!! I was looking forward to this!

If you go click on the packages there is no reference to HDNET, HDNETMovies or UniversalHD in any of the packages. Does anyone know why?

With ALL due respect to everybody after talking to the D* "Mister"(sarcasm intended) CSR the other day(Wed 12 Sep 07) in order to get those CH's as you asked you will be charged another $4.99. If I'm wrong please make my day!
Thanks